By Joy Granados | Capture Joy Photography | Northern Virginia

There’s something magic about letting toddlers be toddlers—muddy boots, loud giggles, curious fingers, and all. That magic only grows when you add baby goats to the mix.

This spring, I found myself returning to George Mills Farm not once, not twice, but three times for something I couldn’t quite get enough of: goat cuddles. It started with a toddler session I loved so much I had to bring my own son back—and before I knew it, I was in the pen again, camera in one hand and a goat climbing on my back.

These sessions were unlike anything I’ve photographed before. Not only were the baby goats just hours old—still wobbly on their legs—but the access and intimacy George Mills Farm offered made it truly one of a kind. In a world of overly curated family activities, this was raw, real, and joyfully unscripted. No stiff posing. No set schedule. Just kids snuggling baby goats, learning to be gentle, and bursting into laughter when a tiny hoof tickled their lap.

The moments were equal parts quiet and chaotic. A toddler whispering to a sleepy goat. A little girl beaming with pride as she cradled her new “best friend.” The way the kids instinctively slowed down to connect—something we don’t often see in fast-paced daily life.

As a family photographer, I often look for environments that bring out true emotion. George Mills Farm gave me that and more: a setting that welcomed children to explore, interact, and simply be. The result was a gallery of images that feel alive with texture, light, and genuine childhood wonder.

A note to George Mills Farm:

If you’re lucky enough to find a place where newborn goats, giggling toddlers, and golden afternoon light come together in one perfect frame—go back. Again and again. Thank you for making your farm feel like home, for the laughter, and for letting me be part of this experience that families will never forget.